then scrambled down again. This was a somewhat peculiar behavior by Czar.
Fergus had now finished saying his goodbyes to his Grandfather. When Fergus was leaving his Grandfather’s resting place he called for Czar. This time Czar did not come straight away. Instead, Czar curled at the foot of the burial place and whimpered. Fergus rubbed Czar behind his ear and said, ‘when you are ready my little ball of fluff’.
On the brief walk back to his cottage Fergus began to question what would come of him? Fergus began to reminisce. How his Grandfather taught him to be a valued and respectful member of the Gully. It was a dreadful thought now, how he no longer had his Grandfather to give him guidance. But even with his sorrow. Fergus felt pleased that he was able to pass on his Grandfather’s name, ‘Fergus Farringdon’. His Grandfather’s name was, ‘Fergus Farringdon Senior’. Fergus’s name was, ‘Fergus Farringdon the Second.' He promised at that very moment that he would be proud. And respectful when speaking his Grandfather’s name.
Unfortunately for Fergus. It was not his name that attracted much attention; it was his form. Fergus was unique in his appearance. For him, this attracted much ghastly attention from the Gullies girls. He wore black medium length hair with his fringe pushed to the right. It needed a good comb. What was most intriguing though, was his left eye being a bright light blue, and his right eye a dark vibrant green. Often, one would be in awe of their beauty. Fergus also had brown honey skin and he was tall and lanky. His ears were little and his dress was shabby to many.
Fergus was aware of how people would talk of his honey brown skin and his different colored eyes. This talk was not in an unkind manner; yet, the elders of the Gully kept their distance. They believed Fergus was of the many Gods they had faith in. Which God though, it was never said.
As for the girls in the gully. The girls would flutter their eyelids and go all coy and giggle in his presence. Fergus had not discovered yet, what romance was. His Grandfather did try to explain what may happen between girls and boys. But it was Fergus’s clumsiness that saw him confused at what girls and boys, may actually do. For him, the most affection he had ever experienced was to hold hands. He did not find comfort in this, and from then on, he tried hard to avoid any such interaction.
Upon arriving back to his cottage Fergus opened the door. He was feeling quite unnerved from being on his own. He stood at the doorway. Fergus had never known the cottage to be so silent. There was not a movement. It was eerie how everything stood still in time. He could usually find his Grandfather at the table reading, or by the stove cooking. He believed his Grandfather prepared the best suppertimes. Anyone in the cottage could have the privilege of eating. The goat and carrot stew taste divine, leaving the taste buds to water. Then the roasted rabbit was also very delightful leaving an after taste for some time. Fergus was going to miss the aromas. He would also miss the happiest greeting when arriving home. Not having this greeting upon reaching home, now left him feeling ever more saddened and lonelier.
“What would it be like, having nothing to look forward to on arriving home every day?” Fergus thought to himself.
The quietness in the cottage made his thoughts echo inside his mind. Fergus took one step more into the cottage where he began to sob a little again. He tried so hard to fight back the tears. Fergus felt a coldness that gave him shivers to his bones. Thinking nothing of it he began to gather some kindle to build a fire. The fire was not only for the warmth throughout the day, but it was also a source of light.
Fergus was expecting the rest of the day to settle in darkness, sooner than the average daytime. This was because, the family of the deceased were to experience a shorter day than others. This phenomenon was believed to happen by the Gods, so the family could move on with their everyday lives sooner. Fergus believed even a shorter day would not make him feel better any sooner. And then not only would the day be shorter, but the air would become colder than the average day also. Then a darkness was expected to shadow over the cottage, leaving one to huddle around the fire. Fergus had never experienced such a phenomenon. But he had heard of many others in the Gully, who had experienced the exact same event from someone’s passing.
Fergus embraced the light the fire gave. Yet, he could still not budge the feeling of being miserable while being on his own. He found his silence interrupted though when there was a scratch at the door. The door opened a little. Fergus became alarmed and stood against the furthest wall. Holding his hands over his mouth; eyes wide. Relief fell when Fergus saw Czar scramble in. In regards to Fergus fearing the doors opening, he was aware he may have over reacted a little.
Whatever possessed him to be so fearful? Fergus considered. “It could have been because his Grandfather was not there to protect him.”
He took a deep sigh and encouraged Czar to settle. This time, Czar curled at the foot of his Grandfathers bed. Even with Czars companionship. The cottage still appeared to be turning out colder than ever. So, Fergus stoked the fire some more like there was no tomorrow. Allowing him to feel satisfied that his fire would last, till daylight would rise.
Fergus sat at the kitchen table. His Grandfather’s things sprayed across the tabletop. Books and herbs, inks, and parchment. Fergus learnt how to read and write from his Grandfather’s teachings. To his Grandfather’s disappointment though, Fergus did not read or write as often as he would have liked. Fergus noticed how some of his Grandfather’s books were big. Some with golden embossed writing and others with symbols. Most covered in dust like they had not been touched for many epochs. Unlike his Grandfather, few of the books had any significant meaning to Fergus. Then Fergus all a sudden noticed the size of his Grandfather’s book shelf like never before. It was by far bigger than most. He counted ten shelves high and three doors wide. Books were squeezed into any space that may have been. What looked to be the most used books, were the herb books that would have been used to cook with. Fergus believed this was what gave his Grandfather’s cooking, the savory taste Fergus delighted in.
Other times yet, Fergus knew his Grandfather to use herbs for medicinal benefits. Fergus’s Grandfather was able to mix herbs that would settle a fever. Stop bleeding, and even mend broken bones. He was very proud how his Grandfather could heal. Many a villager thought his Grandfather to be an Enchanter. And, Fergus believed this to be so for a very long time as well.
While reminiscing such deep thoughts of his Grandfather. Fergus began to feel a little anxious again. Not knowing why, he made sure the cottage door had been secured shut. He checked the door three times, finding comfort in this. He was feeling weary even while resting on his bedstead. Czar was still on his Grandfather’s bed and not curled up to Fergus’s pillow. Fergus decided how it was the most lonesome he had ever before felt like. Fergus’s unsettledness saw him experience the odd hiccup. He knew if he held his breath for five counts, this would ease any hiccup. Then a breeze passed his nostrils that tickled a little. He thought nothing of it. He laid staring into the fire, watching how the flames danced. Only, any unfamiliar shadow gave him the creeps. And the slight cool breeze coming from the window was also unsettling. This was a reminder to Fergus that the effects of death were yet to pass.
Still gazing at the fire, Fergus sensed something strange. What happened next was unexplainable. Fergus saw the smoke from the fire swirl into a little whirlwind. It rose into what looked to be an unfamiliar, bright glowing ‘Emblem’. Its center was round with the images of pointed directions. The directions appeared to show North, South, East and West. These directions all parted into four sections. Every section showed what appeared to be a different Element. The Emblem in the center Fergus would soon learn, how it was called the, ‘Fifth Element of Creation’. Feeling troubled, Fergus closed his eyes. Wishing under his breath that whatever it was, it would go away. And it did pass as it formed. Disappearing into the cottage’s cold balminess.
Fergus laid on his bed, breathing heavily. He was clutching his mattress so hard; his fingers were turning blue. The Emblem was now deep in his mind. Something was telling him how the Emblem
